Photographer's Note

July 2011, little town (which felt more like a village) of Vylkove in Eastern Ukraine.

From left to right: the guide, Sergey, the host, "Baba" Nadia and the captain of our boat, Zhenya.

Ok, Zhenya isn't really a captain but he had (and I don't mean "owned") a boat to his disposal that day and Sergey isn't really a guide but as it was a Sunday he had nothing better to do. Only Nadia really offers homestays on an island in the Danube Delta; I didn't stay in her house but spent a couple of hours there chatting about life while tasting her homemade wine.

They all spoke Russian not Ukrainian and seemed to be rather sentimental about the times of the "Soyuz" (USSR). But I very much doubt they would rather Eastern Ukraine were part of the Russian Federation than the European Union.

Since that brief visit, until very recently, I had been thinking of going back. I was sure I would find Sergey in exactly the same place, on the bridge over the canal, watching the passing traffic (a cow, a bicycle, a car, a cow again). I was planning to check how Baba Nadia was keeping and thought that, who knows, maybe Zhenya would be able to take me there in a boat.

Hello Kasia,
These are three very good, straightforward photos of interesting, "ordinary" people. Maybe they're not very "artistic" shots, but they are natural and honest and bring these persons close to us. I just wouldn't agree that the Danube delta is in eastern Ukraine, rather far south, but as I understand it quite a lot of people in that area too regard themselves as culturally Russian.
Kind regards.
Gert

Hello Kasia,
the combined straightforward, steady and serious gazes of the three people into your lens make a strong impact on the viewer. It's as if they are silently getting in contact with us and communicating a message. Excellent lighting has kept the colours so natural and appealing and rendered the shadows effective but discreet. The tight frame has enhanced the power of the glances. The workshop portraits are natural and interesting too but this one is superb. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely evening,
Ourania

Draga Kasia a sweet and heartfelt note.Pity that such uneventful lives spent in the bosom of a place and in the continuum of time should be torn asunder by boys with deadly guns. Yes, a poignant question, one I asked myself when the war broke out in Yugo. In particular in Mostar I connected with two artisans, one a jeweler, the other a painter of souvenir articles,wooden plate, spoons etc. I found the latter in 2006 in a new shop and told him how glad I was. The other had gone, no one knew where.I hope one day you can reconnect with these people on a sunny day. Srdacno. Klaudio.

Hello Kasia
a thought provoking and topical study. All the character is here and I can understand how you feel about these people. As for the politics, it is something that we can only wonder about and hope comes to a successful conclusion. Lovely image Kasia taken in happier times.

Witaj Kasia
It is exactly these kind of intimate rencontres that bring the real horror of what is happening in the Ukraine at the moment really home. I just do hope they are all all right and safe and sound. The life of so many innocent people are disrupted by these kind of atrocities all over the world. And for what in the end? Power? Money? Fame?
Is it really worth it?
have a great week ahead
Daniel

Hello Kasia. An interesting and very recent photo of a crisis country. Victims of such clashes are always the so-called little people. The photo with the catchy title is really thoughtful.
Rgds, Wolfgang.